Controlling mechanism for aeroplanes



Jun 17, 1930. s. J. AX 1,765,195

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AEROPLANES Filed June 5, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEY June 17, I s. J. AX CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AERQPLANES 7Filed June 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR v ATTORNEY June 17, 1930.s. J. AX 7 1,765,195

CONTRQLLING MECHANISM FOR AEROPLANES Filed June 5, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3'NYENTOR V "TOME? Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES SIMON J, AX, FLONGMONT, COLORADO CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AnRoPLAivEs Applicationfiled June 5, 1929 S erial'No. 368,667

This invention relates to stabilizing means for aeroplanes, the generalobject of the invention being to provide a weight which is supported ona rod which depends from the fuselage, the weight acting to prevent theaeroplane from nose diving, tail spinning and side slipping, as theweight will hold the craft on an even keel even though the wings orailerons are damaged. The weight also acts to hold the craft firm andsteady when headed into a strong wind and thereby gives the engine morepower to drive the craftthrough the wind. The weight also acts toprevent the craft from deviating from its natural course, therebyrendering the craft easier to control, which will be a special advantageto those just learning to fly.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for raising theweight, so that it will be out of the way when the craft is to land.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand specifically pointed out in the appended claim. In describing theinvention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawingswherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, and in which: K

Figure 1 is a side view of an aeroplane equipped with this invention,this view also showing the craft in dotted lines in a tilted position toshow how the weight acts to bring the craft back to ahorizontalposition. 40 Figure 2 is a plan view with parts broken away. 7

Figure 3 is a front view showing the craft in a horizontal position infull lines and in a tilted position in dotted lines. Figure 4 is a Viewof the means for raising and lowering the weight. I

Figure 5 is a detail view showing the collar on the weight rod to whichthe lifting and lowering cables are connected' As shown in these views,a vertically arranged guiding tube 1 passes through the fuselage andforms guiding means for a rod 2 which has a weight 8 connected with itslower end. An appreciable distance above the weight, the rod is formedwith an en-, largem'ent 4 and a collar 5 is slid ably arranged on therod and has its upper end bearing against the enlargement. Cables 6connect the collarwith parts of the fuselage and with parts of the wingsso that these cables and the collar act as supporting means for the rodand the weight.

A pair of cables 7 have their lower ends connected with the weight andthese cables pass upwardly through the bottom of them; fuselage into thecockpit of the same where they are connected with the drums 8 arrangedon a shaft 9 which is rotatably supported in the cockpit. The drums arespaced apart and a hand wheel 10 is fastened to the shaft between thedrums, whereby the shaft can be turned to wind and unwind the cables onthe drums. One of the drums is provided with the ratchet means 11 forpreventing retrograde movement of the parts.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the weight is suspended aconsiderable distance below the craft so that it will act as stabilizingmeans for the craft as the weight acts to prevent endwiseand sidewisetilting of the craft. The weight tends to hold the craft on an evenkeel, even when headed into a strong wind, so that the engine will havemore power and the craft can be more easily controlled. '85

When iti's desired to land the craft, the. shaft to which the drums areattached is rotated by the hand wheel so as tocause the cables 7 toraise the weight and its rod to 1 a position where the weight will beabove '90 the landing wheels. After the craft takes off again, the dogof the ratchet means is moved to releasing position so that the weightwill drop to its operative position.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

4 It is to be understood that changes may be made in the constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, v

provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is 'In an aeroplane, a vertically arranged tube passingthrough the fuselage and the wing, a rod having its upper part slidablyarranged in said tube, a weight onthe lower end of the rod, a stationarycollar on the rod an appreciable distance from the lower end thereof, asliding collar on the rod be low the first collar, cables connecting thesliding collar with parts of the fuselage and wing of the plane, ashaft'journaled inthe fuselage, a pair of drums connected With theshaft, cables connecting the drums with the Weight, a hand heel on theshaft whereby the same can be rotated to Wind the cables on the drumsand ratchet 1neans associated with one drum for preventing retrogrademovem ent of the drums and permitting the I cables to unwmd from thedrums when the V ratchet means are disengaged.

. In testimony whereofI afiix iny signature.

SIMON J. AX.

